President Ursula von der Leyen participated last October 23 in a summit of the European Council that focused on the EU’s support for Ukraine, Europe’s defence readiness for 2030, and on how to boost the continent’s economy while upholding the EU’s climate goals. The President presented the initiatives that the Commission has been working on over […]
19th package of sanctions against Russia: EU targets Russian energy, third-country banks and crypto providers
Thursday 23rd, the Council adopted a sweeping 19th package of further 69 individual listings and numerous economic restrictive measures targeting key sectors which fuel Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, including energy, finance and the military industrial complex. The Council is also strengthening control over the movement of Russian diplomats across the EU and taking further measures against those responsible for the abduction of […]
Council greenlights Switzerland’s association to EU programmes
On Tuesday 21th, the Council gave its green light to Switzerland joining Union programmes, such as Horizon Europe, Euratom Research and Training, ITER/Fusion for Energy (F4E), Digital Europe, Erasmus+, as well as EU4Health. Our partnership with Switzerland is longstanding and based on common values. In the current complex and evolving geopolitical context, our relationship needs to […]
Co-Chairs Conclusions on Strengthening Cross-Regional Security and Connectivity
Today the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, and Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Síkela, met with representatives from EU Member States, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, the Republic of Moldova, Tajikistan, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan in Luxembourg for the Ministerial Meeting […]
EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific: Council approves conclusions
On Monday 20th, the Council approved conclusions on the implementation of the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific stressing that the EU should further intensify its strategic focus, presence, visibility and actions in the Indo-Pacific with the aim of contributing to our joint stability, security, prosperity and sustainable development, underpinned by the promotion of democracy, […]
Council agrees its position on rules to phase out Russian gas imports under REPowerEU
The Council today agreed on its negotiating position on the draft regulation to phase out imports of Russian natural gas. The regulation constitutes a central element of the EU’s REPowerEU roadmap to end dependency on Russian energy, following Russia’s weaponisation of gas supplies and repeated disruptions of gas supplies to the EU with significant effects on the European […]
The first EU-Egypt summit will be held in Brussels on 22 October
The President of the European Council, António Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will represent the EU at the first EU-Egypt summit, which will take place in Brussels on 22 October 2025. President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi will represent Egypt. The summit will discuss bilateral relations and ways to further […]
Violence against women and domestic violence: EU equality ministers call for stronger focus on prevention, early detection and intervention
Recognising the vital role that ordinary citizens can play in preventing abuse, the Council has approved conclusions calling for greater efforts to empower bystanders to help combat violence against women and domestic violence. In their conclusions, EU equality ministers underline that awareness, education and societal support are key to ensuring that bystanders can recognise abuse, […]
Jordan: Council adopts negotiating position on EU assistance of EUR 500 million in loans
The Council decided today on its position in negotiations with the European Parliament on the provision of a further EUR 500 million of macro-financial assistance to Jordan. The EU assistance will help strengthen Jordan’s economic stability and underpin its ongoing reform programme in the face of growing internal and external challenges. It aims to support […]